Empty the Bench

- Cafe Oakley – “… hip checks Emeril, blows by Rachel Ray and posterizes The Naked Chef!”
- Streetball.com – Tyshawn Taylor: the best point guard you haven’t heard about.
- The Journal Times – Free Ramon: is a Sessions and Alexander for Conley swap imminent?
- A Stern Warning – Darius Miles could have been a mean kayaker. Yes, on water.
- LA Times – On the Lakers’ yellow brick road Sasha Vujacic is the scarecrow – brainless.
- The Charlotte Observer – Raymond Felton should keep his bags packed.
- Sacramento Bee – The Kings are looking to make a deal and John Salmons is on the block.
- The Daily News – Donnie Walsh still plans to land the Knicks next star via free agency.
- The Painted Area – Is LeBron James better than Larry Bird? TPA thinks he can be.
– Hoops Addict – Andrea Bargnani has arrived. It’s been awkward at times, but it has come.
- Wages of Wins – Devin Harris is much improved, but it’s simply not enough out East.
- Chicago Tribune – The Chicago Bulls have a leadership problem? Say it ain’t so.
- AOL FanHouse – The NBA’s Ping Pong Derby has tightened significantly in 2009.
- Both Teams Played Hard – Little-known fact: Danny Granger directed Casablanca.
- Ball Don’t Lie – Deloris Jordan added to the lineup for this year’s Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.
- The Hoop Doctors – One half of The Spanish Inquisition serving it up to The Closer:

The NBA’s longest double-double streak of the season ended on Saturday. It lasted 19 games and was, unsurprisingly, turned in by a Utah Jazz power forward. What was perhaps surprising was which power forward: Paul Millsap. Not 2007 and 2008 All-Star, and second-highest paid player on the Jazz, Carlos Boozer. Then again, those who have watched Utah and their young big may not be that shocked. The 6-8, third-year pro has been the best player in a Jazz uniform this season not named Deron Williams.

Boozer and Millsap have a lot in common: they’re both undersized power forwards, they were both second-round picks because of their height, they’re both double-double machines, they’re both extremely efficient scorers, and they both thrive without dominating the ball.

Both are also impending free agents.

Ordinarily having two power forwards as efficient and productive as Millsap and Boozer is more of a luxury than a problem. And once Boozer returns from arthroscopic knee surgery, it will be a luxury for Jerry Sloan for the remainder of this season. However, with both players slated to become free agents this offseason and with each passing game serving to inflate Millsap’s pending contract, the Jazz may be forced to pick between the two of them.

Paul Millsap Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Boozer will make roughly $11.5 million this season, and although he has a player option for next year at $12.6 million he has made it clear that he intends to opt out. Meanwhile, Millsap is Utah’s cheapest player this year at just under $800,000, but it’s the final year of his extremely affordable rookie contract and he will be a restricted free agent this summer, one who is sure to garner plenty of interest.

Assuming GM Kevin O’Conner and Co. can’t retain both, who should they keep?

An argument for Paul Millsap, after the jump…

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On the heels of naming 10 of the most pounding fantasy hoops headaches thus far in the 2008-09 season, we now cast a light on 10 players who’ve exceeded low draft-day expectations and established much greater fantasy relevance. All current rankings are based on ETB’s league scoring format (which is a flawless and fair one, to be sure); that also determines the order in which the following players are listed.

Nene Hilario, Denver Nuggets

Average Yahoo! Draft Position: 103 (Early 9th Round)
Current Yahoo! Rank: 13th Overall
Why He’s Been Such a Surprise: High efficiency and consistent production have been the hallmarks of Nene’s breakout fantasy season, one which few obviously saw coming. It’s never been a lack of talent or passion for the game that’s held him back, but rather a series of unfortunate injuries which, in fantasy hoops, most owners have little to no patience for. So far so good on that front, however, and the addition of true PG Chauncey Billups has helped his cause too. Nene has played in all but one of the Nuggets’ first 37 games, averaging career-bests of 14.8 points, 7.8 boards, 62% FG, 74% FT, and 1.5 blocks; his 1.3 steals are the most since ’03. We sort of saw this coming with Camby out of the mix, but not to this degree.

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Average Yahoo! Draft Position: 92.5 (Early 8th Round)
Current Yahoo! Rank: 37th Overall
Why He’s Been Such a Surprise: There’s nothing not to like about what Rondo has done so far both for the Celtics and his fantasy owners. He’s posted incremental to solid increases in every category compared to last season, the most valuable being the 7.5 assists (up from 5.1) and 2.2 steals (up from 1.7); his 51% FG is rather helpful as well. I was fortunate enough to snag Rondo in the middle of the 10th round, after guys like Gilbert Arenas (anybody still counting on much from him this year? Maybe ever?), Kevin Love, and Francisco Garcia had recently come off the board. I’d be thrilled to see him take (and make) more than 3.4 free throws per and up his points from 10.9 to, say, 14, but that’d just be greedy.

Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz

Average Yahoo! Draft Position: 135.6 (Late 11th Round)
Current Yahoo! Rank: 38th Overall
Why He’s Been Such a Surprise: The former second-round pick came into his third NBA season with comparable fantasy value to that of the Detroit Pistons’ Jason Maxiell. Like Maxiell behind Wallace and McDyess, Millsap was mostly a draft-day afterthought–think UTIL depth–because he looked to again be in line for only 20 minutes or so/per playing behind All-Stars Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur. Once Boozer went down, however, Millsap stepped up in a huge way and has easily proven to be the biggest bargain of the 2008-09 fantasy season. He currently has a streak of 19 straight double-doubles going, as a starter averaging 18.5 points, 11.7 boards, 57% FG, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks. SICK. In the real world, don’t be surprised if Utah inks the unrestricted free-agent Millsap to a long-term contract extension this summer, and lets Boozer walk.

Seven more fantasy hoops surprises after the jump…

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Last season Beno Udrih was a rare bright spot on an otherwise muddled Sacramento Kings roster. After spending three quiet years in San Antonio backing up Tony Parker he was traded, along with cash considerations, to the Minnesota Timberwolves just before the kickoff of the 2007-08 for a second-round pick. True to form, Kevin McHale made the move in the interest of thriftiness rather than roster improvement.

Udrih spent the season making the point guard starved Wolves franchise look foolish for the move. Inserted into the starting lineup less than a month into the campaign he blew away all of his career averages, putting up nearly 15 points, 5 assists, 3.5 boards 1 steal and 1 three on an efficient 47.5% FGs and 86% FTs in 51 starts.

Back at the start of the season in discussing the Kings I said:

I also question if Beno Udrih is a real NBA point guard. I understand that the disgruntled Mike Bibby had to go and Beno filled in admirably for him last year. Udrih was a borderline revelation with an efficient and productive 14.4-and-5 line in 51 starts. But he was rewarded with a starting point guard’s contract and his deal could hurt in time. Udrih doesn’t take care of the ball especially well, doesn’t play defense and isn’t a floor general. Sure, he was a major find after being cast off by Minnesota, but the Kings got a little over-zealous – I have a hard time seeing the 26-year-old with limited upside earn $6-8 million per season until 2013.

Beno’s emergence last season was a pleasant surprise to Kings fans and fantasy hoops owners alike – and also cause for some skepticism. He had never reached 6 points, 2 assists or 15 minutes per game in three NBA seasons playing for a Spurs team better at finding European diamonds in the rough than any other franchise in the league. By the numbers Udrih was suddenly looking like a competent, serviceable point guard for the future. The $32 million deal he signed the previous summer was looking like a bargain for Sacramento – but there was no real explanation for the sudden productivity and efficiency outside of increased playing time. Still, with few true ball handlers on the Kings roster the 26-year-old point seemed poised to have every opportunity to match his stats from last season.

So far, it hasn’t happened. He’s regressed into a timid, uncertain player on both ends of the floor, losing confidence and playing time by the week. With franchise player Kevin Martin and utility guard Francisco Garcia hobbled for much of this season the Kings were forced to play Udrih heavy minutes even as his play fell off a cliff in December. Now that those two are back things have gotten so bad for Beno that even the 8-28 Kings, in 14th out West with no other true points and with a financial investment in him, are finding it difficult to put Udrih on the court.

Beno is seeing just 20 minutes of action per game so far in January. He’s failed to reach double-digit points or top 5 assists yet in 2009, and he’s being pulled late in games for his offense and his defense. Udrih getting into foul trouble more in fewer minutes and scoring fewer points with poor efficiency and more turnovers. Over the last month Beno has averaged just 8.2 points and 3.6 assists on 42.6% FGs and 63.2% FTs. There’s always the chance this is a protracted slump and he’ll snap out of it, but with each passing game and each poor showing that’s seeming less and less likely. If it doesn’t happen that five-year, $32 million contract is going to be an albatross for a rebuilding Kings team – and it will be a rare move from McHale’s tenure as GM that actually makes him look good. Embarrassing.

Related Reading:
- The Five Worst Teams in the Western Conference – Sacramento Kings
- Beno Udrih Scores Big with the Sacramento Kings

All current Yahoo! rankings are based on ETB’s highly scientific fantasy hoops scoring format; players are ordered in the average order in which they were drafted in all Yahoo! leagues. Be sure to also check out Ten of the Most Pleasant Fantasy Hoops Surprises So Far This Season.

Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers

Average Yahoo! Draft Position: 7.5 (Mid-First Round)
Current Yahoo! Rank: 184th Overall
Why He’s Been a Headache: The dislocated shoulder he suffered on December 17 was but icing on the foul fruitcake that Brand’s season had already turned into prior to the injury, which will keep him sidelined for a month or more. Those banking on a continuation, or even elevation, of his post-injury dominance with the Clippers last season have thus far been rewarded with a sometimes decent, never spectacular effort from the 76ers’ big free-agent acquisition. Through 23 games played, Brand has posted career-low per-game averages of 15.9 points, 44.7% FG, 68.3% FT, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 blocks; the 9.8 boards are his third-least. Worse yet, there’s a significant chance Brand could re-injure that shoulder once he returns in a few weeks, which could derail his entire season before it really even started.

Shawn Marion, Miami Heat

Average Yahoo! Draft Position: 9.2 (Mid-First Round)
Current Yahoo! Rank: 56th Overall*
Why He’s Been a Headache: “The Matrix” was behind only LeBron James in terms of small forwards to come off the draft board, but now finds himself ranked 20th amongst players with SF-eligibility. Currently out with back spasms, Marion’s days of being an elite across-the-categories contributor seem farther and farther behind him with each passing game. His 11.5 points, 9.2 boards, 1.4 steals, and 0.2 triples per are all the lowest since his 99-00 rookie season, and unfortunately we just don’t get the sense he’s going to suddenly break out this season either; a lingering injury that keeps him out for extended stretches seems more in the cards, which could sink the title hopes of those who gambled on him one more time with a first-round pick.

Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons

Average Yahoo! Draft Position: 14.8 (Late First Round)
Current Yahoo! Rank: 75th Overall
Why He’s Been a Headache: A lot of owners drafting around 14th or 15th overall felt compelled to choose between either A.I. or Baron Davis, but are likely now wishing they’d “reached” for a Deron Williams, Chauncey Billups, or even Rashard Lewis. Since the early-season trade to Detroit, on a strict fantasy-level Iverson has been anything but dynamic. For the most part, he’s done his best (and done it fairly well to this point) to subscribe to the Pistons’ team-first approach, one which rarely allows for any one player to post monster fantasy stats. That’s all well and good for his real team’s long-term outlook this season, but his fantasy teams who spent a first-round pick on The Answer are likely searching for a new one every day.

Seven more fantasy hoops headaches after the jump…

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- Slam Dunk Central – So maybe the Boston Celtics aren’t so invincible after all.
- Hoops Addict – A thorough, must-read recap of the NBA Blogosphere 2008.
- LA Ball Talk – The Lake Show’s player-by-player ’08 year in review.
- The Love of Sports – I’m sure my ETB cohort, Mr. Andrew Thell, just loves this piece.
- Ball Don’t Lie – Rod Benson and the NBA D-League, together again.
- Streetball – Remember this name for down the road: Tyshawn Taylor.
- Talking Points – If I’m a NBA GM, I’m on the phone now about acquiring Monta Ellis.
- Black Sports Online – Finally, what we’ve all been waiting for: an Antoine Walker mugshot.
- Full-Court Press – Only happens if the Thunder surrender their lottery pick (they won’t).
- Hardwood Paroxysm – If you’re not a Celtics fan, pray that they sign Stephon Marbury.
- ESPN – A few NBA rookies making waves with their defense.
- The Hoop Doctors – I admit that I very much want a Yao Ming Transformer.
- Hardcore Detroit Fan – Rodney Stuckey to have his (collegiate) jersey retired.
- AOL FanHouse – David Lee to the Portland Trail Blazers? Probably not. Eddy Curry? Well…
- HOOPSWORLD – Could Josh Howard be headed to The Great White North?

Acquired in a draft-day deal with the Portland Trail Blazers that sent fellow top-five pick LaMarcus Aldridge to the Great Northwest, the 6-9 Tyrus Thomas is still, in his third full NBA season, proving to be one of the league’s most difficult players in his age bracket to put a finger on.

He’ll have nights where he looks and plays like the kind of young, hungry, multi-dimensional talent any team would bend over backwards to lock up to a long-term deal, like over the past weekend when against McHale’s Minnesota Timberwolves, Thomas flirted with a rare triple-double line by posting 15 points, 8 rebounds, 8 blocked shots, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 7-7 from the free-throw line. We’ve too often seen him follow up monster efforts like that one, however, with listless 30+ minute games where he fails to do much of anything right.

Blame it on an ever-changing role on the team, blame it on youth (he just turned 22 in August), blame it on the rain. One way or the other, though, the Chicago Bulls need to make a firm decision about what to do with the highly talented, yet frustratingly inconsistent Tyrus Thomas and stick with it. Play the kid or trade the kid while you still can.

The 14-20 Bulls, who at best will compete for a 8th seed in the Eastern Conference this season, have a mishmash of players at nearly every position with overlapping skill sets, a fact that’s stunting the growth and effectiveness of many of them. Sorting this mess out and moving forward with a clearer plan remains one of the key challenges facing GM John Paxson (whether or not he’s up to it is a debate for another day). With that in mind, this foolishness of only elevating Thomas into the starting lineup after veteran Drew Gooden went down with an ankle injury needs to stop.

Gooden, while a capable scorer in the post, has proven over his career to be nothing more than a stopgap. What exactly would the Bulls gain by soon re-inserting him into the starting lineup and sending Thomas back to the bench? The way I see it, the Bulls have two potential franchise cornerstones on the roster in Thomas and last year’s first-overall pick, PG Derrick Rose. They should be getting as many minutes on the floor together as possible, now, and working towards developing the same kind of rapport we’re seeing with Aldridge and Brandon Roy out in Portland. That’s not going to happen with Thomas playing 22 or so minutes per in such a pivotal season as far as his professional development goes.

So if the Bulls aren’t sold on his skills and think he’s more “long-term head case” than “long-term All-Star,” swallow it, move on, and sell him to the highest bidder while you still can. His play, of course, ideally dictates court time, but if at this point the Bulls aren’t ready to throw him to the wolves to really see what they have, when will they be?

Related Reading:
- The Chicago Bulls Frontcourt is Offensive for All the Wrong Reasons

Tyrus Thomas Photo Credit: Icon SMI